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October 9th, 2006 - BARK BUSTERS OFFERS ‘HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS’
Englewood, Colo. - With Halloween fast approaching, with all its strange sights and sounds, Bark Busters, the world’s largest dog training company, offers helpful guidelines for dog owners to ensure their pets stay safe during this “trick or treat” holiday. The guidelines are based on Bark Busters’ expertise in dog behavior and the experience of the company’s network of dog behavioral therapists who have successfully trained more than 350,000 dogs worldwide.
“Halloween is the only holiday intended to scare and startle us,” said Liam Crowe, Master Dog Therapist and COO of Bark Busters. “Unfortunately, this can be a haunting holiday for dogs, too, which can result in uncharacteristic unruly or aggressive behavior. Aggression in most cases stems from fear. We can give dogs a treat on Halloween by being more sensitive to their ‘fight or flight’ instincts.”
According to Bark Busters, isolated and random events that can cast excitable spells on dogs throughout the year tend to converge on Halloween. Ringing doorbells, spilled food, excessive yelling and screaming, and odd clothing that covers a stranger’s eyes or head all can be very disconcerting to dogs, and even more so when experienced together on the same night. While there is only so much dog owners can do to control external surroundings, they can help maintain their dog’s peace of mind and safety on All Hallow’s Eve by observing the following tips:
• Don’t leave your dog outside – Bring your dog inside, even if you have a fenced yard or invisible fence. Pranksters love to tease dogs, or even be cruel to them, so protect your dog by putting him in a safe place.
• Keep your dog restrained – It’s best to put him in a separate room, away from the front door. If you allow your dog at the front door, keep him restrained on a leash. A dog’s behavior when he sees children in masks is very unpredictable. A very gentle dog can become aggressive when fearful, resulting in possible bites. Also, a restrained dog cannot run out the front door and become lost in the neighborhood. Just in case, make certain that identification tags are secure on your dog’s collar.
• Keep candy away from your dog – The statistics are not known, but many dogs become very sick – and some die – from eating Halloween treats. Many candies, especially chocolate, are very toxic to dogs. Make certain that sweets, including candy wrappers, are all kept well away from your dog.
• Keep dogs away from candles and pumpkins – When excited or agitated, it’s easy for a dog to knock over a lit candle or pumpkin. Pumpkins are fine to have around your dog, just not in a location where they can be accidentally knocked over.
• Think twice about dressing your dog in a costume – Some dogs might enjoy being dressed up, but many don’t. Experiment first to see if your dog likes being in a costume. If so, fine – he’ll most likely enjoy himself. However, if he shows any resistance, don’t do it. There is enough stress for dogs around Halloween without adding the discomfort and peculiarity of wearing a strange costume.
• Have fun, but think of your dog’s safety – Finally, if you want your dog to be involved in Halloween festivities, think about his safety much as you would a small child. Your dog does not understand Halloween, so he needs you to provide for protection.
Bark Busters dog behavioral therapists are renowned authorities in the area of correcting dog behavior. The Bark Busters training system can successfully train any dog, including puppies. The company’s natural training technique leverages the same communications methods – body language and voice control – that dogs follow as part of their instinctual pack mentality. About 80 percent of Bark Busters’ clients require only one two-hour home visit from a licensed dog behavioral therapist, if they continue with just 10 to15 minutes a day follow-up exercises for several weeks. All training takes place right in the home where the problems generally occur. Bark Busters’ training is the only service of its kind that offers a written lifetime guarantee. For more information, call 1-877-500-BARK (2275) or visit www.barkbusters.com.
About Bark Busters
Bark Busters, the world’s largest, most trusted dog training company, started in Australia in 1989 and came to the United States in 2000. Since inception, over 350,000 dogs have been trained worldwide using its dog-friendly, natural method. With 220+ franchised offices in 40 states and more than 320 offices in eight countries, Bark Busters is continuing its mission to build a global network of dog behavioral trainers to enhance responsible dog ownership and reduce the possibility of maltreatment, abandonment, and euthanasia of companion dogs. Bark Busters is the only international dog training company that offers a written lifetime guarantee. Trainers will provide future sessions free of charge if problem behaviors recur, or if any new problems develop. For more information, call 1-877-500-BARK (2275) or visit www.barkbusters.com, where dog owners can complete a Dog Behavioral Quiz to rate their dogs’ behavior.
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